Money can be a big challenge for relationships, especially for couples on a budget with limited income or a lot of debt. Overwhelming debt, lack of communication, and financial secrets can lead to arguments, guilt, finger-pointing, and resentment. Here are the steps to help.

Understanding what a budget is, what it can do, and how to build one together can help couples address problems in a healthy, positive way as they work toward mutual financial goals.

A budget is simply a roadmap for dividing household income into expenses (including mortgage, groceries, and discretionary spending). Building a budget together means agreeing on the roadmap and helping each other stick to it.

You need car insurance – it’s the law, but as long as you have the minimum coverage required in your state, the rest of the decisions are up to you, including the amount of your deductible.

Knowing how to choose your deductible is important. It’s the amount of money you must pay if you file a claim. It’s not an optional payment, so knowing how to choose yours wisely is important.

Are you expecting a tax refund this year? What if instead of spending the money before you even have it in hand you use it to improve your credit?

If you have poor, fair, or even average credit, your credit score could use a boost and your tax refund could be the perfect way to make it happen.

Here’s how to use your tax refund to improve your credit score.

From emergency funds to retirement accounts and everything in between, it can feel impossible to save enough money each month. Even if you make more than enough money to make ends meet, you might wonder if you’re ever saving enough. While there’s no cut and dry answer as to how much you must save each month, we’ve created a guide to help you determine what’s right for you.

We all want to be financially free, right? Living under the burden of bills, saving, and trying to figure life out feels impossible and overwhelming at times. What if we told you that achieving financial freedom is within your reach – you just have to know the do’s and don’ts of handling your personal finances. 

Here’s what you should know. 

When you buy a home, the lender will require an appraisal. It sounds scary and like it could stop you from getting the loan you need or the home you want. While an appraisal can be a stumbling block when you’re trying to buy a home, it’s there to protect you and the lender. Understanding the appraisal, how it works, and what your options are if the appraisal doesn’t come in high enough is important.

You could set as many financial goals as you want, but without the right mindset, they are nearly impossible to reach. How you think about money—consciously and subconsciously—can affect your decisions, how you handle money, and how much money you have overall. The good news is that you can change your money mindset at any time and turn your personal financial situation around. 

What Is Your Money Mindset? 

Your money mindset is any thoughts or feelings you have about money. For example, if you tell yourself, "I’ll never make enough money to retire early", then guess what? You won’t. 

No matter how young or old you are, everyone should be thinking about retirement. We know it’s hard when you’re in your 20s or 30s because 59 ½ – 65 years old seems so far off, but it will be here before you know it.

The earlier you save for retirement, the more money you’ll have to enjoy your golden years. Plus, when you save early, you give your money more time to grow, which is like passive income – you don’t have to work for it, yet you grow your retirement account fast.

Understanding how retirement funds work, how to save for retirement, and the tax consequences of each account is important.

Among your many loan options are FHA loans. They are a common choice for borrowers that don’t qualify for conventional (traditional) financing.

FHA loans have a bad reputation, but they are one of the most flexible and easy-to-use programs for first-time homebuyers and subsequent homebuyers.

Each year, many Americans struggle to manage their medical expenses. Routine healthcare procedures can be expensive enough, but there are even more significant costs associated with emergency medical care, chronic illness management, and childbirth. Too many Americans are finding themselves drowning in the medical debt they’ve accrued from essential treatment and medication, with or without health insurance. Three major mistakes can cause patients to rack up more significant medical debt than is necessary, but fortunately, these strategies can help.